Bringing a new baby home is one of the most significant moments in a family’s life, and capturing that chapter together, with siblings included, creates some of the most treasured images from your entire newborn session. At my studio in Hatfield, Hertfordshire, sibling portraits are one of my absolute favourite parts of the day. The connection between a big brother or sister and their new sibling is something truly magical to photograph.
But if you have ever tried to get a toddler to sit still for more than thirty seconds, you will know that a little preparation goes a long way. Here are my best tips for helping your older child feel excited, comfortable and ready to be part of your newborn photoshoot.
Talk About It Before the Day
Many parents tell me they’ve looked at several photographers online and wondered why the prices are so different. Every photographer offers something a little different, from their experience and studio environment to what’s included in their collections. That’s why you’ll often see a wide range of prices, even between photographers in the same area.
If you’ve been researching photographers in Watford, St Albans, Barnet or Harpenden, you’ve probably noticed there’s a big difference in pricing. That’s because every photographer offers a different experience, different products and a different level of service.
What Does Newborn Photography Cost in Hertfordshire?
Children respond so much better when they know what to expect. In the days leading up to your session, talk to your little one about what is going to happen. Keep it simple and exciting: you are going to a special studio to take beautiful pictures of the whole family together, including the new baby. Let them know they are an important part of the day, not an afterthought. The more ownership they feel over the experience, the more enthusiastic they are likely to be when they arrive.
For younger toddlers, keeping the conversation light and close to the day works best. For older children, you might show them some images from my portfolio so they can see the kind of photographs you are hoping to create together.
Plan It Together in Your Consultation Call
Every newborn session with me begins with a pre-session consultation call. This is the perfect time to talk about your older child: their age, their personality, what they love and anything that tends to unsettle them. Together we can plan which sibling and family images matter most to you, so that on the day everything feels calm and considered rather than rushed.
When Siblings Are Photographed
I photograph siblings and family images at the start of the session, while your older child is fresh and at their most cooperative. Once their part is done, they are welcome to head home or out for a treat with another adult, such as a grandparent or partner. This keeps the experience short and fun for them, and gives your baby a calm, quiet studio for the rest of the session.
If you can, bring another adult along for exactly this reason. It makes the whole day easier for everyone, including you.
Choose Their Outfit Thoughtfully
Sibling outfits are one of the details that make a real difference to the overall feel of your gallery. I recommend staying within a neutral, light colour palette that complements the whole family and keeps the photographs timeless and natural.
Avoid bold logos, bright primary colours and busy patterns. These tend to draw the eye away from the connection between your children, which is the heart of every sibling portrait. My studio wardrobe has beautiful pieces for mum and baby, so you only need to think about outfits for your older child and your partner. If you are unsure what works, send me a WhatsApp message before your session and I am always happy to help you choose.
Comfort matters enormously too. If your child is uncomfortable in what they are wearing, they will let you know about it, and that discomfort will show in the photographs. Choose something they feel happy and relaxed in.
Time the Session Around Their Routine
When you are booking your [newborn photoshoot in Hertfordshire](LINK: Newborn page), think about what time of day your older child is at their best. Avoid booking during nap time for younger toddlers, and try to avoid sessions that cut right across mealtimes. A well-rested, recently fed child is going to be in a far better headspace than one who is tired and hungry.
My newborn sessions last around three hours, giving plenty of time to work at your baby’s pace, with time for feeding, cuddling and settling as needed. Because siblings are photographed first, your older child only needs to be at their best for the beginning. If they have a particular snack they love, bring it along. A little bribery is completely welcome in my studio.
Bring a Small Comfort Item
For younger siblings who might feel a little uncertain about a new environment, having a familiar toy, comforter or blanket on hand can make a real difference to how settled they feel. You do not need to worry about it appearing in any images. It is simply there as a security option if your child needs a moment to regroup.
My studio in Hatfield is warm, calm and child-friendly, and I have welcomed so many families from across Hertfordshire and North London, from Potters Bar, Cuffley and Brookmans Park to Welwyn Garden City, St Albans, Harpenden, Knebworth and Barnet. I know how to read children and I never push, rush or force anything. If your little one needs five minutes to warm up, we take five minutes. There is always time built into the session for exactly this.
Set Realistic Expectations for Yourself
This one is for the parents as much as the children. Sibling sessions are joyful, and they are also wonderfully unpredictable. Your toddler might walk in full of enthusiasm and then decide they are not interested the moment the camera comes out. They might need a snack, a cuddle, or a moment to have a little cry about something entirely unrelated to the photoshoot.
None of this is a problem. I have spent years working with children of all ages and temperaments, and I know that the most genuine, beautiful images often come from the unscripted moments: the spontaneous kiss on the baby’s head, the curious little finger reaching out, the proud big sibling holding their new brother or sister for the very first time. These are the images families frame and keep forever.
Let Them Have a Role
Children love to feel important. Give your older child a job on the day, even a small one. They could be in charge of choosing which soft wrap the baby wears for one of the setups, or they could help hand me a favourite blanket. Having something to do gives them a sense of purpose and keeps them engaged.
You might also tell them beforehand that they will have a special part to play in the photographs. Having something to look forward to can help them stay patient on the day.
The Sibling Portraits Themselves
In a newborn session at my Hatfield studio, sibling portraits are included alongside beautifully posed newborn images and relaxed photographs of the whole family. This gives us plenty of time to capture genuine sibling and family connection while working at your baby’s pace.
During the sibling section, I work gently and playfully. I might ask your child to look at the baby, give them a gentle kiss, or simply sit alongside them naturally. I never ask children to pose in a way that feels forced or unnatural. My goal is always to capture real connection, not a performance.
Many families choose to turn their favourite sibling image into a framed piece of wall art, and I help you design this at your viewing appointment. You can see the options in my [Pricing Guide](LINK: Pricing Guide page).
You Do Not Need to Worry
The most important thing I want you to take from this blog is that there is nothing to stress about. If your toddler has a meltdown, we will work around it. If they refuse to look at the camera, we will get something beautiful anyway. If they want to hold the baby for approximately four seconds before losing interest entirely, those four seconds will be enough.
Sibling portraits are one of the greatest gifts you can give your children. Years from now, they will look back at these images and see themselves at the very beginning of one of the most important relationships of their lives.
If you are searching for a newborn photographer in Hertfordshire who welcomes the whole family, including the most enthusiastic and the most reluctant big brothers and sisters, I would love to hear from you. Families travel to my Hatfield studio from across Hertfordshire and beyond, including Potters Bar, Cuffley, Brookmans Park, Welwyn Garden City, St Albans, Harpenden, Knebworth, Barnet and Cockfosters. Get in touch to reserve your [newborn session](LINK: Newborn page) and let us create something truly beautiful together.
Love, Megan x
FAQ
ask me
anything
What if my toddler refuses to have their photo taken with the newborn?
Please do not worry if your toddler is not immediately interested. I never force children to pose or expect them to sit perfectly still. We can take a little break, give them time to settle, or simply follow their lead. Some of the most beautiful sibling photographs come from completely unplanned moments.
When are siblings photographed during a newborn session?
Siblings are photographed at the start of the session, while they are fresh and happy. Afterwards, another adult can take them home or out, so your older child is not waiting around and your baby can settle in a calm studio.
Is it safe for a toddler to hold a newborn during a photoshoot?
Your baby’s safety always comes first. If we include photographs of your older child holding or sitting with the baby, I guide every setup carefully, a parent’s hands stay close by, and your newborn is fully supported at all times. We can also create beautiful sibling photographs without your toddler holding the baby at all.
Do siblings have to be in every part of the newborn photoshoot?
Not at all. Your newborn session is about capturing your family as a whole, but that does not mean everyone needs to be in every photograph. We create images of your newborn on their own, your children together, and the whole family, letting the session flow naturally around your children.
What age is best for sibling photos with a newborn?
There is no perfect age. Whether your older child is a toddler, a young child or an older brother or sister, I work with their individual personality and comfort level. Every age brings something different to the photographs, and that genuine relationship is what makes these images so special.